Honda’s Anna plant launches new ‘Type S’ engine

New engine is the brawn behind the return of Acura Type S models

Honda’s engine plant, located about an hour’s drive north of Dayton, is launching a new high-performance engine, the automaker said Thursday.

The Anna plant — which Honda calls the “largest engine plant in the world” ― began production of a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine powering the return of Acura Type S models.

“The latest in an incredible line of high performance powertrains built exclusively in Ohio, the new engine debuted in the 2021 Acura TLX Type S, which went on sale this week at Acura dealerships nationwide,” Honda said in a release.

Earlier this month, Honda’s Marysville plant began mass production of the 2021 Acura TLX Type S, the first in a new generation of Type S performance variants.

The new 3.0-liter dual overhead cam (DOHC) V6 turbo engine incorporates technologies from the twin-turbo NSX supercar to produce 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque, “making the TLX Type S the best performing Acura sedan ever,” the automaker said.

The new Type S engine also will power the upcoming 2022 MDX Type S. Both the TLX and MDX are made in Ohio.

“The last year has brought unique challenges but the knowledge and experience of our team here at the Anna engine plant never lost sight of our objective, to deliver a high performance engine to power Acura Type S products,” said Rick Riggle, Anna plant manager. “Our entire team understood the importance of this Type S engine to the Acura brand and our associates take great pride in making it for our customers.

The Anna plant began engine production in 1985 and has produced more than 28 million engines over the past 35 years. The Shelby County plant grew from 100 workers into Honda’s second largest Ohio operation, employing more than 2,800 people, the automaker has said in the past.

The plant also builds the engine that powers “the most powerful Honda production model ever sold in America, the Civic Type R,” the company said.

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